Our History

Around 1900 construction on the present brick building began. Rather than tearing down the wooden frame, builders chose to add brick walls around the preexisting structure, thus preserving the thick wood beams.

In 1929, Ernie Lohr, owner of a farm implement store on South Ashley, bought the building and began using it as a feed store. Big farm implements like tractors, combines, and milking machines sprawled the showroom floor.

Purchased in 1994, Nick Easton opened the large brick and wood building as an Antique Emporium. In 1998, he unveiled a series of bars starting with the Cavern Club. The Millennium Club, Gotham City, and Circus Bar and Billiards followed shortly after, each a little more wild than the last.

Krazieye Productions purchased the building in 2017 and decided to restore the building’s natural beauty. Renovations focused on the wood, brick, and stone to create a modern industrial look. The Circ Bar opened in September of 2018, featuring a brand new Lounge and Roof Deck (where office space used to be). Root followed shortly after, estabished in the space previously occupied by The Cavern Club. In 2020, in response to the COVID pandemic, The Circ Bar unveiled its outdoor Tiki bar in the Mural Courtyard and Railway Patio. Root closed temporarily and unveiled Rabbit Hole late spring of 2023. Rabbit Hole is the latest Ann Arbor’s nightlife destination, offering up eccentric drinks, neon lights, and live music.

All the venue spaces here are constantly updating and improving – from new drink rails, mirrored backsplashes, and outdoor lighting – don’t be surprised if the space somehow seems a little bit different from your previous visit.